SHUTTER ISLAND (REVIEW)
The
year is still young but first rate movies, it seems, are on a roll.
The
mysterious thriller, 'Shutter Island', directed by the great Martin Scorsese,
is a bleak but incredible journey into the unexpected. Not since the intense 1991
version of 'Cape Fear' has Scorsese sent audiences into a panic like he does here.
Based on the novel by Dennis Lehane, the story has been considerably revised for
the big screen.
Set in 1954, U.S Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo
DiCaprio), along with a new partner he's breaking in, are sent to an isolated
home of the crazed and homicidally insane. Known as Shutter Island, just off the
coast of Boston, the pair are on a mission to find a woman who seemingly vanished
from a locked room, with no apparent means of escape. The facility is run by a
spine chilling, pipe smoking chief psychiatrist, Dr. Cawley (Ben Kingsley - who
chews up every scene in which he appears). Preaching the humane treatment among
the patients, it's obvious to the detectives, he's wrong.
At
this point, the duo should have said goodbye, but intrigue simply gets the better
of them. The combination of never ending corridors covered in filth, dark cell
blocks and damp walls, are all much less haunting than what cannot be seen by
the naked eye. A massive storm brews causing trees to unearth and becomes so fierce,
that the very walls of the prison are close to collapsing. The skies grow darker
and angrier, reflecting the faces of each inmate and unhelpful staff member also
trapped on the island.
Teddy further confuses proceeding when
he reveals a hidden agenda. He feels the need to expose the oppressive practices
from the doctors, even if confronting the accused will further torment his stay.
Starting off as an intelligent man, Teddy slowly falls to pieces, haunted by vivid
dreams that are a mixture of alluring splendour, descending into constant terror.
Or is it pure paranoia - that is the question!
Bordering on
the supernatural, paranormal activity is kept at a minimum. The surreal support
cast are unforgettable. Always reliable, Mark Ruffalo (Zodiac) is helpful as Chuck,
new partner to Teddy, smoking all the time and dressed like he's walked straight
out of 'Casablanca'. Canadian actor, Elias Koteas, has a show-stopping moment
as a pyromaniac. Veteran, Max Von Sydow is at his diabolical best while soon to
be seen as Freddy Krueger in the updated 'Nightmare on Elm Street', Jackie Earle
Haley, is given a brief, but overwhelming earth shattering moment behind bars
inside a blackened cell.
The fourth collaboration with his
director, Leonardo DiCaprio is perfect as the tormented Teddy Daniels. His eyes
tell a story - you are drawn in by innocence and what could only be described
as desperation. Breathtaking visuals and a suitably dramatic score, help round
out this ode to the classic noir detective stories.
'Shutter
Island' may be gloomy, but it's a thinker, bound to provoke discussion.
Shane
A. Bassett
